Apple's iOS 27 Launches with Siri AI Beta and Major Security Update
Apple has released iOS 27, introducing a new Siri AI beta that integrates with the operating system to answer questions and control apps. The update also includes over 120 security patches and other features like photo editing controls and a redesigned Screen Time. Users on older iOS versions receive a separate 26.7 update with similar security fixes.
The Siri AI beta is initially available only in English, with French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish support scheduled for October. Users can activate it by navigating to Settings, selecting Siri, and tapping the "Try Siri AI (Beta)" link. The rollout follows months of beta testing and positions Siri as a direct competitor to standalone chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini, though its key differentiator is deep OS-level integration that allows it to manipulate apps and device settings directly.
For users unable or unwilling to upgrade, Apple simultaneously released iOS 26.7, iPadOS 26.7, and macOS 26.7, which patch roughly 80 security vulnerabilities and add features such as Apple Music enhancements, new emoji, AirPods Max 2 support, and improved keyboard accuracy. Devices excluded from the version 27 upgrade include the iPhone X, XR, XS, XS Max, and second-generation SE, along with several older iPad and Mac models.
This update could significantly reshape how everyday iPhone users interact with their devices, potentially reducing reliance on third-party AI assistants and shifting expectations for on-device intelligence. The 120-plus security patches may also protect users from active threats, particularly those involving malware and data theft. However, the beta status of Siri AI and the exclusion of older devices may create a divide between users who can access the new capabilities and those left on the 26.7 update, potentially widening the experience gap across Apple's installed base.